To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effect on (a) consumers and (b) dispensers of the decision to delay the abolition of the Hearing Aid Council (HAC) until 31 March 2010; and whether HAC will be given additional powers to protect consumers during the period before the switch of responsibilities from it to the Health Professions Council. (243840)

The Department, the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, the Hearing Aid Council and the Health Professions Council are working towards the required legislation to allow the closure of the Hearing Aid Council and the transfer of its register.

The Health Professions Council has powers to protect consumers that the Hearing Aid Council does not. The Hearing Aid Council have estimated that the additional cost to the industry is £1,107 and this is tax deductible.

The Hearing Aid Council’s powers will remain unchanged until the date of transfer of the dispensers to the Health Professions Council.